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Yoga may be about as good as physical therapy for treating lower back pain, according to a new study published in a major medical journal.

The research bolsters the scientific case for yoga as a potential therapy for back pain. While the discipline has its fans in the medical community, evidence for its effectiveness is sparse.

The variety of yoga that has taken off in countries outside India emphasizes physical postures, movements, and controlled breathing. Its popularity has spawned an industry of retailers, studios and media companies catering to practitioners. Enthusiasts frequently tout yoga’s health benefits, especially its capacity to reduce stress and improve fitness. But skeptics say more research is needed to verify the claims being made….